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Adams welcomes funding from Councils for Dundalk Women’s Refuge

Sinn Féin Louth TD Gerry Adams has welcomed the decision by Louth County Council and Dundalk Town Council to provide €15k each to Dundalk Women’s Aid in order to remove the immediate threat of closure.

Teachta Adams praised his Council colleagues, and in particular Councillor Edel Corrigan and Councillor Jennifer Green who “each presented a motion to their respective councils condemning the funding cuts to the refuge and demanding a reversal of those cuts.”

Gerry Adams said:

“The decisions by the two Councils are very welcome but they are not the answer to the problem of funding for Dundalk Women’s Refuge and other refuges across the state.

“Women’s Aid Dundalk is in the frontline of helping victims of domestic violence. It provides a 24/7 service. Last year the demand on its services were such that it was unable to accommodate 293 requests for refuge. One consequence of this is that Drogheda Women’s Refuge which has limited space will now have to cope with victims from Louth, Cavan and Monaghan.

“The loss of the Dundalk service will leave hundreds of women and children vulnerable to continued domestic violence.

“The reality is that services and support for women and children experiencing abuse in the home is at an all-time low as a result of government cutbacks. The decision by the two Louth Councils has provided an opportunity to campaign to reverse current government policy and I would urge all county Louth representatives, but especially government TDs and Seanadóirí, to use their influence to secure government funding for Dundalk Women’s Aid.”